Plasma processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a vacuum processing apparatus which is small-sized and requires a small installation area. The vacuum processing apparatus includes a vacuum container which has a processing chamber inside thereof, wherein the pressure inside the processing chamber is reduced and plasma used for processing a sample is formed inside the processing chamber, a bed portion which is arranged below the vacuum container and stores a device for supplying electricity and electric signals used for processing inside the vacuum container, and a transport chamber which is connected with the vacuum container and includes a transport device for transporting the sample inside thereof. The vacuum processing apparatus further includes a connector portion which is mounted on the bed portion in a state that the connector portion faces a lower portion of the transport chamber, wherein the bed portion is configured to be detachably mounted on the vacuum processing apparatus in a state that the bed portion performs the connection and the disconnection at the connector portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vacuum processing apparatus whichprocesses an object to be processed in the inside of pressure-reducedapparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus which processes, byusing plasma, a semiconductor substrate (wafer) which constitutes theobject to be processed in the inside of the apparatus.

In the above-mentioned apparatus, particularly in the apparatus whichprocesses the object to be processed in the inside of thepressure-reduced apparatus, along with a demand for the finer processingand the more accurate processing, there has been a demand for theenhancement of the efficiency of the processing of the substrate whichconstitutes the object to be processed. Accordingly, in recent years, amulti-chamber apparatus which is provided with a plurality of processingchambers which are connected to one apparatus has been developed,wherein the processing formed of a plurality of steps is applied to asubstrate as an object to be processed by using one apparatus so as toenhance the efficiency of the processing.

With respect to such an apparatus which performs the processing in astate that the apparatus is provided with the plurality of process roomsor chambers, in the respective process rooms or the processing chamber,the gas inside these process rooms or the processing chamber and thepressure of the gas are adjusted such that the pressure can be reduced.Further, these process rooms or the processing chamber are connectedwith the transport room (transport chamber) in which a robot arms or thelike for transporting a substrate is provided.

Due to such a constitution, the substrate before the processing or afterthe processing is transported from one processing chamber to anotherprocessing chamber through the inside of the transport chamber in whichthe pressure is reduced or in which an inert gas is introduced, so thatthe processing can be continuously applied to the sample withoutbringing the substrate into contact with the outdoor air. Accordingly,the contamination of the substrate can be suppressed and a yield rateand the efficiency of the processing can be enhanced.

Further, the time for elevating or reducing the pressure inside theprocessing chamber or the transport chamber can be omitted or reducedand hence, the steps of the process can be shortened, the time andefforts necessary for the whole processing of the substrate can besuppressed whereby the efficiency of processing is enhanced.

Still further, with respect to such an apparatus, the respectiveprocessing chambers are replaceably or detachably mounted on theapparatus and hence, the apparatus can cope with the process of newprocessing by exchanging the processing chambers or the combination ofthe processing chambers without exchanging the apparatus body wherebythe cost of manufacturing products by performing the substrateprocessing can be suppressed to a low cost.

As the related prior art of the vacuum processing apparatus on whichthese processing chambers are detachably mounted, a technique disclosedin Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H6 (1994)-267808 has been known. Inthis related art, respective processing chambers which process asemiconductor wafer are detachably mounted on a wafer transport chamber.Further, each processing chambers are provided with a movable stagewhich is movable along an X axis, a Y axis or a Z axis below theprocessing chamber, wherein due to the movement of these stages, themounting positions of the respective processing chambers on the wafertransport chamber can be adjusted. Due to such a constitution, thisrelated art can ease the positioning of the respective processingchambers with respect to the transport chamber, thus facilitating themounting and dismounting operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above-mentioned related prior art, however, has failed to pay thesufficient consideration on following points and hence, the related artstill has some drawbacks.

As described above, when a plurality of processing chambers are arrangedclose to the apparatus, due to guide mechanisms including the movablestages below the apparatus, the size of detachable units becomes largeand hence a contact area of the apparatus is enlarged. Accordingly, noconsideration has been paid to a point that the number of installableapparatuses on a floor of a clean room or the like on which theapparatuses are installed is lowered so that the manufacturingefficiency when products are manufactured by operating a plurality ofapparatuses is lowered.

Further, by reducing the size of the guide mechanisms to decrease theapparatus installation area, it is possible to reduce spaces among aplurality of processing chambers. However, this leads to the reductionof spaces necessary for performing the connection/disconnectionoperation of the respective processing chambers or for performing themaintenance. Accordingly, the efficiency of mounting and dismountingoperation and maintenance operation is lowered, thus leading to theprolongation of the operation time. Eventually, there has been adrawback that a non-operative period that the apparatus is not operatedis prolonged and hence, the operation efficiency of the apparatus islowered and the manufacturing cost is increased. Also in this case, noconsideration has been paid to in this drawback.

Further, with respect to the related art, although the connectionbetween the respective processing chambers and the transport chamber hasbeen taken into consideration, no consideration has been taken on theconstitution which facilitates the mounting and dismounting operation ofvarious equipment for performing processing in the inside of theprocessing chambers, for example, equipment which supplies a process gasand air, an exhaust mechanism, a power source, and a refrigerant supplymechanism for cooling parts in the inside of the processing chambers.That is, in mounting or dismounting the equipment in the processingchambers, no consideration has been take with respect to theconstitution which enhances the operation efficiently other thanpositioning, thus giving rise to a drawback that the operation time isprolonged and hence, the operation efficiency of the apparatus isdeteriorated.

Further, insufficient consideration is taken on the constitution torealize given performances in a stable manner in the respectiveprocessing chambers after mounting the respective processing chambers.That is, after mounting the respective processing chambers, there may bea case that it is found that some mounted processing chambers differfrom the chambers before the mounting operation. In this case, it isnecessary to perform the adjustment of the chambers after mounting suchthat the apparatus can obtain the given performance in each mountedprocessing chamber. Accordingly, the mounting or dismounting and themaintenance of the processing chambers are prolonged whereby theoperation efficiency of the apparatus is lowered. This drawback has notbeen taken into consideration.

Further, in the above-mentioned related art, when the maintenance or themounting or dismounting operation is performed in one processingchamber, it is impossible to perform the processing in other processingchambers which are mounted on the wafer transport chamber and hence, aninterval of the mounting or dismounting operation or the maintenanceperformed in one particular processing chamber becomes an interval ofthese operations in the apparatus whereby the apparatus is stopped inspite of the fact that the processing of other processing chamber can beperformed. Accordingly, the operation efficiency of the apparatus isremarkably deteriorated. This drawback has not been also taken intoconsideration.

Further, in performing the operation in the inside of each processingchamber, it is necessary to set the pressure inside the processingchamber substantially equal to the external pressure and it is alsonecessary to reduce the pressure inside the processing chamber toperform another operation and then processing of the substrate in theprocessing chamber after performing the preceding operation. When thetime for elevation/lowering of pressure is long, the time for theoperation and the processing in the processing chamber is relativelyreduced and the operation efficiency of the device as a whole isreduced, thus giving rise to a drawback that the manufacturing cost ofthe products is increased. This drawback has not been taken intoconsideration.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum processingapparatus which is small-sized and hence requires a small installationarea.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a vacuumprocessing device which can easily perform operations such asmaintenance, mounting and dismounting of equipment.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a vacuumprocessing apparatus which can enhance the operation efficiency.

The present invention is, to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks,directed to a plasma processing apparatus which includes a vacuumcontainer which has a side wall having a position thereof fixed withrespect to a floor surface on which the vacuum container is installedand is capable of sealing the inside and the outside of the vacuumcontainer, a sample stand which is arranged in the inside of the vacuumcontainer and on which a sample which constitutes an object to beprocessed is placed, an inner wall member having an approximatelycylindrical shape which is arranged between the sample stand and theside wall such that the inner wall member surrounds a side of the samplestand and defines a space between the inner wall member and the sidewall, wherein plasma is formed in the inside of the inner wall member, aflange portion which is arranged on a periphery of an upper end portionor a lower end portion of the inner wall member, and exhaust means whichreduces the pressure in the space defined between the inner wall memberand the side wall of the vacuum container and the pressure inside theinner wall member, wherein the upper end portion and the lower endportion of the inner wall member receive a force from members which arein contact with the upper end portion and the lower end portion in astate that the inside of the vacuum container is reduced, so that theupper end portion and the lower end portion are fixed in the inside ofthe vacuum container, and the flange portion receives the force and ispushed while clamping a seal which seals the inside and the outside ofthe inner wall member.

Another technical feature of the present invention lies in the plasmaprocessing apparatus in which the inner wall member is fitted on theouter peripheral end of the flange portion so as to fix the position ofthe inner wall member.

Still another technical feature of the present invention lies in theplasma processing apparatus in which the seal is arranged on a surfaceon which the flange portion is pushed and is biased toward the samplestand side and an outer peripheral end of the flange portion faces theatmosphere side of the vacuum container.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide the vacuumprocessing apparatus which is small-sized and requires a smallinstallation area.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to providethe vacuum processing apparatus which can easily perform the operationssuch as the maintenance and mounting and dismounting of the equipment.

Still further, it is also possible to provide the vacuum processingapparatus which can enhance the operation efficiency of the vacuumprocessing apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view as viewed from the front showing the wholeconstitution of a vacuum processing apparatus according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view as viewed from the back showing the wholeconstitution of the vacuum processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a top plan view showing the schematic constitution of thevacuum processing apparatus according to one embodiment shown in FIGS.1A and 1B;

FIG. 2B is a side view showing the schematic constitution of the vacuumprocessing apparatus according to one embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing the schematic constitution ofrespective units in an assembled state;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing the schematic constitution ofrespective units in a disassembled state;

FIG. 3C is a perspective view showing the schematic constitution ofrespective units in a disassembled state;

FIG. 3D is a perspective view showing the schematic constitution ofrespective units in a disassembled state;

FIG. 4 is a side view which explains the positional relationship betweena control unit and the respective processing units of one embodimentshown in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 5A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the schematicconstitution of a processing chamber portion of the processing unitamong the processing units shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 5B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the constitutionof a connection portion between a discharge chamber portion and a vacuumchamber portion of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view showing the schematicconstitution of the processing chamber portion of the processing unitshown in FIGS. 5A and 5B;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view for explaining thetake-out operation of parts of the processing chamber portion shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view for explaining thetake-out operation of parts of the processing chamber portion shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B;

FIG. 9 is a transverse cross-sectional view showing the schematicconstitution of a lower portion of the processing chamber portion shownin FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a view showing the schematic constitution of an etchingprocessing unit of the vacuum processing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1A and1B;

FIG. 11 is a view showing a side surface of the processing unit shown inFIG. 10;

FIG. 12A is a side view showing a bed shown in FIG. 10 as viewed from aposition outside and behind the vacuum processing apparatus of thisembodiment;

FIG. 12B is a side view showing a bed shown in FIG. 10 as viewed from aposition outside and above the vacuum processing apparatus of thisembodiment;

FIG. 13A is a side view showing a bed shown in FIG. 10 as viewed from aposition inside the vacuum processing apparatus of this embodiment;

FIG. 13B is a side view showing a bed shown in FIG. 10 as viewed from aposition outside and a side of the vacuum processing apparatus of thisembodiment;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing the flow of signals and fluid in theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detailin conjunction with attached drawings hereinafter. FIGS. 1A and 1B areperspective views showing the whole constitution of a vacuum processingapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, in whichFIG. 1A is a view as viewed from the front and FIG. 1B is a perspectiveview as viewed from the back.

In these drawings, the vacuum processing apparatus 100 of thisembodiment is roughly classified into two blocks, that is, front andrear blocks. The front side of an apparatus body 100 constitutes anatmospheric-pressure-side block 101 which enables the transporting of awafer supplied to the apparatus into a chamber whose pressure is reducedunder an atmospheric pressure and the supplying of the wafer into theprocessing chamber. Behind the apparatus body 100, the process block 102is arranged. The process block 102 includes processing units 103, 103′and 104, 104′ which have processing chambers for processing the wafer ina reduced-pressure state, a transport unit 105 which transports thewafer to these processing chambers under a reduced pressure, and aplurality of lock chambers which capable of connecting the transportunit 105 to the atmospheric-pressure-side block 101 for transporting ofa wafer. The pressure of these units is reduced and the reduced pressurewith the high degree of vacuum is maintained, thus forming theprocessing unit into vacuum blocks.

The atmospheric-pressure-side block 101 includes a casing 108 which isprovided with a transport robot (not shown in the drawing) therein.Further, the block 101 includes a wafer cassette 109 in which a cleaningwafer is housed and a dummy cassette 110 for a dummy wafer which aremounted in the casing 108. Further, the transport robot performs anoperation to load and unload the wafer between these cassettes 109, 110and a lock chamber unit 106. Further, the block 101 is provided with apositioning portion 111 on the casing 108 and the wafer which istransported in the inside of the positioning portion 111 is positionedin conformity with the posture of arrangement of wafer in the inside ofthe cassettes 109, 110 or the lock chamber unit 106.

Further, with respect to the processing units 103, 103′, 104, 104′ ofthe process block 102 in this embodiment, the processing units 103, 103′are etching processing units provided with etching chambers forperforming etching processing of the wafer transported from the cassette109 to the processing unit 102, while the processing units 104, 104′ areashing processing units which perform the ashing processing of thewafer. The transport unit 105 is provided with a transport chamber 112in which these processing units are detachably mounted and the pressureinside thereof is reduced and is held with the high degree of vacuum.

Further, the processing unit 102 is arranged between the above-mentionedprocessing units 103, 103′, 104, 104′, and control units 107 a, 107 bwhich include mass flow controllers for adjusting the supply of fluidsuch as gas or liquid necessary for these units or the processingchambers are arranged close to the processing units 103, 103′, 104,104′. Further, below the processing unit 102, there are provided arectangular bed which houses reservoir portions and discharge portionsof various gases and refrigerants which are necessary corresponding tothe above-mentioned respective processing units and utilities such as apower source which supplies electricity to these portions and a frame106 which constitutes the bed. The processing chamber portions and thecontrol units 107 of the processing units 103, 104 are configured andarranged such that they can be detachably mounted on the frame 106.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are explanatory views showing the schematicconstitution of the vacuum processing apparatus 100 according to theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, wherein FIG. 2A is a plan view asviewed from above and FIG. 2B is a side view as viewed from the side. Inthis embodiment, the atmospheric-pressure-side block 101 which isarranged at the front side of the apparatus body 100 constitutes aportion where the handling of the wafer including transporting, housing,positioning, and the like of the wafer is performed under theatmospheric pressure, while the process block 102 at the rear side ofthe device body 100 constitutes a portion which performs transporting,processing, and the like of the wafer under pressure which is reducedfrom the atmospheric pressure and increases or decreases the pressure ina state that the wafer is mounted.

Further, as mentioned above, between the transport chamber 112 and theatmospheric-pressure block 101 which constitute the transport unit 105,lock chambers 113, 113′ which connect the transport chamber 112 and theblock 101 and transport the wafer between them are arranged. Thepressure inside these lock chambers 113, 113′ is reduced and, after thewafer which is mounted on a robot arm (not shown in the drawing) and istransported into the inside of the transport chamber 112, the pressureinside the lock chambers 113, 113′ is elevated to the atmosphericpressure and, thereafter, the wafer is mounted on another robot arm (notshown in the drawing) which is arranged in the inside of theatmospheric-pressure-side block 101 and is taken out to theatmospheric-pressure-side block 101 side. The taken-out wafer isreturned to the original position in the inside of the cassette 109 oris returned to either one of these cassettes. Alternatively, the waferwhich is taken out by the robot arm from either one of these cassettes109 is mounted in the inside of the lock chamber 113 a or 113 b which isset to the outdoor pressure and, thereafter, the pressure inside thelock chamber 113 or 113′ is reduced and the wafer is mounted on therobot arm in the inside of the transport chamber 112 whose innerpressure is also reduced and, thereafter, is transported to either oneof the above-mentioned processing units 103, 103′ or 104, 104′ throughthe inside of the transport chamber 112.

To perform the above-mentioned operations, the lock chamber 113 and 113′are connected to the atmospheric-pressure-side block 101 and transportchamber 112, respectively. A gas supply device and a gas exhaust deviceare connected to the lock chamber 113 and 113′, whereby, inside of thelock chambers 113 or 113′, the pressure is elevated, reduced ormaintained in a state that the wafer which is transported through thelock chambers 113, 113′ is mounted. Accordingly, in the lock chamber113, there is provided a gate valve (not shown in the drawing) which isopened or closed in front of or behind the lock chamber 113 and sealsthe inside of the lock chamber 113. Further, in the inside of these lockchambers 113, 113′, tables on which the wafer is placed are arranged andthese tables include fixing means which prevent the movement of thewafer when the inner pressure is elevated or lowered. That is, theselock chambers 113, 113′ are configured to have means to seal the lockchambers 113, 113′ against the pressure difference between inner andouter pressures which is formed in a state that a wafer is mounted inthe inside of the lock chamber 113, 113′.

As described above, the transport unit 105 is constituted of thetransport chamber 112 in which the robot arm (not shown in the drawing)which transports the wafer between the respective chambers 103, 104 andthe lock chamber 112 whose inner pressure is reduced and theabove-mentioned plurality of lock chambers 113, 113′. Here, in thisembodiment, one sample transport device 506 is arranged in the inside ofthe transport chamber 112 so as to enable the exchange of the samplebetween four processing units which are arranged in the periphery of thetransport chamber 112 and the atmospheric-pressure-side block 101.

Further, as mentioned above, in this embodiment, the processing units103, 103′ and the 104, 104′ are formed of two etching processing unitsand two ashing processing units. These processing units are provided ina state that processing units are connected with respective sides of thepolygonal transport chamber 112 of the transport unit 105. Twoprocessing units which constitute etching processing units 103, 103′ areconnected to two sides of the transport chamber 112 at a depth side andthe processing units which constitute the ashing processing units 104,104′ are connected to two sides of the transport unit 105 respectivelyclose to the etching processing units 103, 103′. Further, the lockchambers 113, 113′ are connected to the remaining side of the transportchamber 112. That is, in this embodiment, two etching processingchambers and two ashing processing units are arranged in the peripheryof the transport chamber 112. According to this embodiment, thetransport chamber 112 is roughly hexagon in plan view.

Further, in this embodiment, the processing units 103, 103′ and theprocessing units 104, 104′ which are connected to the transport unit 105are configured to be detachably mounted on the transport unit 105 and,at the same time, in the transport unit 105, the lock chambers 113, 113′and the transport chamber 112 are detachably connected with each other.

In this embodiment, the processing unit 102 which is constituted ofthese processing units 103, 103′ and 104, 104′ and the transport unit105 is roughly divided into an upper portion and a lower portion. Thatis, the processing unit 102 is divided into chamber portions where theinner pressure is reduced and a sample such as a semiconductor waferwhich constitutes an object to be processed is handled and a frame 106which is arranged below the chamber portions to support the chamberportions and in which equipment necessary for these chambers arearranged. Further, the above-mentioned processing unit is divided intothe chamber portions which contain the processing chambers therein and abed portion which houses the utilities which correspond to theseprocessing chambers.

In this embodiment, the frame 106 is constituted of a center frame 204which is arranged below the transport chamber 112 and four bed frames205 which are arranged around the center frame 204. The center frame 204is a support base which is arranged below the transport unit 105 or thetransport chamber 112 and supports these parts and the processing unitsand the equipment which are connected to these parts. Accordingly, thecenter frame 204 is configured to have an approximately rectangularparallelepiped shape formed of beams to ensure the necessary strength. Aspace is formed in the inside of the center frame 204 and this space isused as a space for housing various pipes and lines necessary for theabove-mentioned utilities and various processing units.

Further, the center frame 204 is arranged at a center side of thetransport chamber 112. Particularly, in this embodiment, the centerframe 204 is arranged to be positioned at the inside of a projection ofthe transport chamber 112 on a floor and bed frames 205 for respectiveprocessing units are arranged around the center frame 204. That is, fourbed frames 205 having an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shapeare arranged to face four sides or faces of the center frame 204 havingan approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape with a suitable spacedefined between them. Here, the respective bed frames 205 are arrangedto be inserted into a lower portion of the transport chamber 112 and arepositioned on a projection surface of the transport chamber 112 on thefloor so as to make the projection area of the processing block 102 moresmaller.

In this embodiment, the bed portion is configured to have a bed frameand a bed which is housed and is arranged in the inside of the bedframe. The bed portion has an approximately rectangular parallelepipedshape and houses the utilities, a controller, a heat exchanger, and thelike necessary for the upper chamber portion in the inside thereof. Thebed frame has a strength large enough to support the chamber portionarranged above the bed frame and has a rectangular parallelepiped shapewhich is formed of beams. The bed is arrange inside the bed frame and aplate which covers the bed frame is arranged outside the bed frame.

As the utilities, for example, a power source for supplying electricityto a discharge pump for reducing the pressure inside the processingchamber, a temperature controller, respective sensor, and the like, areservoir portion for gas which is supplied to a sample table to whichthe wafer which constitutes the sample is mounted and fixed inside asignal interface processing chamber for receiving and transmittingsignals to be inputted to or outputted from the respective processingunits and adjusting these signals, a reservoir portion for a refrigerantfor cooling the sample table, a heat exchanger in a refrigerating cyclewhich exchanges and circulates a refrigerant and the like can be named.

The bed houses these utilities, while the bed is connected to the bedframe having an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape and ishoused therein. Further, in the inside of the bed frame 205 whichconstitutes the frame 106, an interface portion which is necessary fordriving the respective utilities in the bed which houses the utilitiesis provided. The processing chamber portion is connected with respectivesides of the transport chamber 112 using given connection gates.Further, the bed portions which correspond to the processing chamberportions are housed in the lower frame 106 of the transport chamber 112and are connected with the apparatus body 100.

In this embodiment, the combination of the respective processingchambers and the bed portions which correspond to the processingchambers constitutes one processing unit. This one processing unit iscollectively connected to the device body 100 or the transport unit 105(transport chamber 112) in a detachable manner. Further, in oneprocessing unit, the processing portion may have the corresponding lowerbed portion thereof mounted or dismounted in a state that the processingportion is connected to the transport unit 105. Reversely, the bedportion may be mounted on or dismounted from the upper processingchamber portion in a state that the bed portion is connected to theframe 106.

Further, while the lock chamber 113 is arranged behind theatmospheric-pressure-side block 101 and between the block 101 and theprocessing block 102, a gap is formed between the frames 106 or betweenrespective beds. On a back side of the block 101, a supply passage forgas, a refrigerant, a power source, and the like is formed. That is, aplace where such a vacuum processing apparatus 100 is installed istypically an indoor such as a clean room where air is purified. Here, toinstall a plurality of vacuum processing apparatuses, it is a usual casethat various gases, a refrigerant and a power source which are suppliedto the device body 100 are, for example, collectively arranged on afloor different from a floor on which the apparatus bodies are installedand the various gases, the refrigerant and the power source are suppliedby attaching conduit passages to respective apparatus bodies. In thisembodiment, a connection interface 201 for conduit passages of gassesand refrigerant from a different place or supply lines such as electriclines from the power source is provided to a back surface portion of theatmospheric-pressure-side block.

Further, the atmospheric-pressure-side block 101 is connected to thesupply passage of the respective utilities which are supplied toprocessing block 102 side at the connection interface portion 201. Thesupply of the conduit passages, the electric lines, and the like fromthe connection interface portion 201 is collectively arranged as asupply block 203, wherein the supply block 203 passes below the lockchamber 113 and below a center portion of the transport chamber 112 andis connected to the respective beds by way of interface portionsprovided to the respective bed frames 205 which constitute the frame106. Further, some of gases and the like necessary for the processingpass a supply passage 204 which is arranged between the processing units103, 104, above the control unit 107 and close to the control unit 107and, thereafter, is connected to the control unit 107.

Conventionally, since the conduit passages and electric line and thelike are attached such that the supply passage are led separately to therespective processing chambers from the supply source arranged on theseparate floor and hence, to arrange and adjust the processing chambersor to exchange the processing chambers with processing chambers forother usage, the mounting and dismounting operation become cumbersome,thus deteriorating the operation efficiency. Further, display means suchas a meter which adjusts the respective conduits and electric lines anddisplays a state of flow of the conduits and electric lines is providedfor every processing chamber and hence, it is not easy for a user todetermine the operation state of the apparatus. Further, since theseconduit passages are attached around the respective processing chambers,the installation area required for the apparatus as a whole issubstantially increased, thus giving rise to drawbacks that the numberof apparatuses which can be installed on one floor is decreased or thespaces for operations are reduced so that the operation efficiency islowered. In this embodiment, due to the above-mentioned constitution, itis possible to ensure the sufficient operation space and, at the sametime, the confirmation of operation can be performed easily. Further, itis possible to reduce the installation space for the apparatuses.

That is, on the back surface portion of the casing 108, a display part202 having the following constitution is arranged. That is, the displaypart 202 includes detection means which detects a state of respectivesupply lines which are connected to the processing blocks 102 side atthe above-mentioned connection interface 201 and display means whichdisplays a result of the detected output of the detection means so as toenable a user to easily detect the operation state of the apparatus.Further, the apparatus may be provided with adjustment means which canadjust the supply using these supply lines and or can input aninstruction of adjustment.

Further, a gap is formed between the back surface of the casing 108 andthe frame 106 of the processing block 102. This gap provides a space inwhich a user enters to perform operations on the processing unit 104,the transport chamber 112 and the lock chamber 113 and, at the sametime, provides a space for confirming, adjusting or arranging theconnection interface portion 201 and the display part 202 formed on theback surface of the casing 108. Further, in the space, means fordisplaying and adjusting information on the operation of the apparatusrelated to supplies from the supply lines are arranged in a concentratedmanner. Accordingly, it is possible to easily perform the operationsnecessary for operating the apparatus and hence, the operationefficiency of the apparatus is enhanced.

Further, in this embodiment, the supply passages of utilities necessaryfor the respective units of the processing-side block 102 arecollectively arranged. By collectively arranging the piping andconnecting portions or interfaces of the electric connecting lines orthe like led from other place such as a floor below the floor on whichthe device 100 is installed on a back surface of the casing 108 of theatmosphere block 101, in installing the apparatus body 100 on the flooror in arranging or exchanging the apparatus, the mounting operation, theconnection operation or the dismounting operation of the supply passagescan be facilitated whereby the operation efficiency is enhanced.

Further, in this embodiment, the supply line from the connectioninterface portion 201 which is formed of the conduit passages and theelectric lines or the like is collectively arranged. The supply linepasses below the lock chamber 113 and below the center portion of thetransport chamber 112 and is connected to the respective beds byway ofan interface portion which is arranged on the bed frame 205 which isarranged in a space below the transport chamber 112 and on the innerside of the center frame 204 and constitutes the frame 106. However, itmay be possible that the respective conduit passages and electric linesof the supply line from the connection interface portion 201 aredirectly connected to the apparatus which is housed in the bed insidethe frame 106.

That is, the respective units are arranged to surround the transportchamber 112, and the space in which the above-mentioned supply passage20 is arranged is arranged on the inner side or on the center portionside of the apparatus. Such an arrangement space is arranged in a spacedefined below the transport chamber 112 and the lock chamber 113 andbetween the beds of the respective processing units. Accordingly, it ispossible to ensure the space for performing the operations such asmounting, connecting or dismounting of the supply passage 203 and hence,the operations are facilitated whereby the operation efficiency isenhanced, thus leading to the enhancement of operation efficiency of theapparatus. Further, the connecting portion of the utilities is arrangedon the inner side of the apparatus, that is, below the transport chamber112. That is, the connecting portion is arranged to face the spacebetween the respective beds and hence, the space for performing theabove-mentioned operations is small whereby the installation area can bereduced compared to a case in which pipes, lines and connecting portionsare arranged around the apparatus, thus increasing the number of theapparatuses which can be installed on the same floor area.

FIGS. 3A to 3D are perspective views showing the schematic constitutionof the respective units in this embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, inwhich FIG. 3A shows the respective processing units which are arrangedcollectively. On the other hand, FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C, and FIG. 3D are viewsshowing the respective units in a divided manner. FIG. 3B shows theetching processing unit 103, FIG. 3C shows the ashing processing unit104, and FIG. 3D shows the control unit including a MFC (Mass FlowController).

As shown in these drawings, each processing unit 103, 104 includes theprocessing part 103 a, 104 a and the bed part 103 b, 104 b which isstored in and connected to the frame 106 at upper and lower portionsthereof. Among these processing units, between the processing parts 103a, 103 b of the etching processing unit 103, conduit passages and linepassages for supplying the gas, the circulating refrigerant and theelectricity are arranged so as to connect both of the processing parts103 a, 103 b. On the other hand, the processing part 103 a is supportedon the bed by a plurality of support beams (not shown in the drawing)arranged on the frame 106. The control unit 107 is arranged between theetching processing unit 103 and the ashing processing unit 104, whilethe control unit 107 is arranged in a state that the control unit 107 ismounted on the frames 106 of the bed parts 103 b, 104 b of theseprocessing units. The control unit 107 is a device which adjusts thesupply of gas and the like which the processing units, arranged tosandwich the control unit 107 therebetween, require to the processingunits. For example, in the inside of the control unit 107, a regulatorwhich regulates the supply of gasses and electricity to the processingchamber arranged inside the processing part 103 a of the etchingprocessing unit 103 is arranged.

FIG. 4 is a side view for explaining the positional relationship betweenthe control unit 107 and the respective processing units in theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The control unit 107 is positionedand arranged between the etching processing unit 103 which performsetching and the ashing processing unit 104 which performs ashing. In theinside of the control unit 107 as described above, the controllers 401,402 for regulating the supply of the gasses and electricity to therespective processing units are provided.

In this embodiment, in the inside of the control unit 107, a pluralityof flow rate regulators which regulate flow rates and speeds ofprocessing gasses supplied to the etching processing unit 103 and theashing processing unit 104, the gas and the refrigerant which are usedfor the temperature control of the sample in the inside of theprocessing chamber are arranged. Particularly, in the inside of thecontrol unit 107, the flow rate regulator for etching processing unit isarranged at an upper portion thereof and the flow rate regulator forashing processing unit is arranged at a lower portion thereof. Accessdoors 403, 404 which are opened or closed when necessary for arrangingand exchanging devices including these flow rate regulators which arearranged in the inside of the control unit are arranged at upper andlower portions of the control unit 107. For controlling gasses andelectricity to the respective processing units, the control unit 107 maybe constituted by plural separated components of which each including acomputer.

For example, in the inside of the control unit 107, reservoir portionsfor liquid such as refrigerant and water and gasses which are suppliedto the processing chamber, valves for adjusting the flow of thesefluids, and drive means such as motors for driving valves are stored andarranged. The regulator is provided for each processing chamber. This isbecause that the processing unit of this embodiment is configured to bedetachable from the transport chamber 112 or the device body 100,wherein a plurality of processing units which can perform differentprocessings are provided to one device body 100 to process the waferwhich constitutes the sample. Accordingly, by preparing the processingunits having different specifications with respect to differentprocessings and by exchanging the processing units, the versatileprocessings can be performed using one apparatus. Since it is possibleto realize the conditions and the operations of the apparatus foroptimum processing corresponding to the processing units havingdifferent specifications for processing such as different kinds ofgasses and different temperatures and the like, it is desirable toindependently regulate the respective processing units.

In such a vacuum processing device, the control units 107, 107′ of thisembodiment are arranged between two processing units and are configuredto establish the easy connection with the respective units. Accordingly,mounting and dismounting operations of the processing units and thecontrol units are facilitated and hence, the operation time can beshortened.

Further, equipment which correspond to the respective processing unitsin the inside of the control units 107, 107′ are arranged vertically sothat a space necessary for the arrangement can be decreased. Byeffectively making use of the space between the processing units, thedistance between the processing units can be shortened and hence, theinstallation area of the whole device can be decreased. Further, thedifference in the flow passage length of the fluid supplied to therespective processing chambers can be easily decreased. Accordingly, itis possible to suppress the difference in the flow passage length to theprocessing chambers before and after the exchange or the change of theprocessing units or processing chamber portions. In this manner, whenmounting or dismounting of the processing units is performed in the formof the arrangement or the exchange of the processing units or mountingof an additional unit, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of thedifference in performance before and after the mounting or thedismounting whereby, it is easy for a user to perform the regulationusing the control unit 107 and, at the same time, a yield rate of thewhole device can be enhanced.

The constitution of the etching processing unit is explained in detailin conjunction with FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. FIG. 10 is the view showing theschematic constitution of the etching processing unit of the vacuumprocessing device shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIG. 11 is a view showing aside surface of the processing unit shown in FIG. 10.

In these drawings, a processing chamber portion 103′a which constitutesan upper portion of the etching processing unit 103′ includes adischarge chamber portion 1001, a vacuum chamber portion 1002, anelectric wave source portion 1003 and a gas discharge portion 1004.Here, in the discharge chamber portion 1001 provided with the dischargechamber, the inner pressure is reduced, and eradiated electro magneticwaves are introduced to form plasma therein. The vacuum chamber portion1002 is arranged below the discharge chamber portion 1001 and iscommunicated with the discharge chamber, wherein in the same manner asthe discharge chamber portion 1001, the inner pressure is reduced andthe plasma formed in the inside of the discharge chamber and a reactionproduct and gasses are made to flow thereinto from the dischargechamber. The electric wave source portion 1003 is arranged above thedischarge chamber portion 1001 and an electromagnetic wave generatorwhich becomes an electric wave source of the electromagnetic wavesintroduced into the discharge chamber is arranged in the electric wavesource portion 1003. The exhaust portion 1004 is arranged below thevacuum chamber portion and is communicated with the inside of the vacuumchamber so as to discharge the plasma, the reaction products, and thelike in the vacuum chamber. Further, an exhaust pump which reduces thepressure in the vacuum chamber and the discharge chamber is arranged inthe exhaust portion 1004. Further, below the vacuum chamber portion1002, support beams 1005 which are connected with the bed portion 103′band support the vacuum chamber portion 1002 are provided. Here, thedischarge chamber portion 1001, the vacuum chamber portion 1002 and theelectric wave source portion 1003 may be covered with a cover which isindicated by a doted line. A connecting portion having an opening fortransporting the sample between the discharge chamber portion 1001 orthe vacuum chamber portion 1002 and the transport chamber 112 is alsoprovided to the processing chamber portion 103′a.

Further, the bed portion 103′b which is arranged below the processingchamber portion 103′a includes a bed frame 205 and a bed 1000 which isarranged in the inside of the bed frame 205. Further, above the bedportion 103′b, the control unit 107′ is arranged close to the processingchamber portion 103′a. As described above, the control unit 107′ isprovided with the flow rate regulator 404′ which regulates the flow ofthe fluid such as gas, refrigerant or the like to be supplied to theprocessing chamber portion 103′a, the discharge chamber portion 1001 orthe vacuum chamber portion 1002 in the inside thereof and, at the sametime, the control unit 107′ is provided with the flow rate regulator403′ for the ashing processing unit 104′ (shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, and2B) and the access doors 402′, 401′ for performing the regulation andthe maintenance operation of these parts.

Further, although not shown in the drawing, the control unit 107′includes a lifting device such as a crane or a lifter which verticallymoves the vacuum chamber portion 1002 and the electric wave sourceportion 1003 of the processing chamber portion 103′a by lifting orlowering the devices while holding the devices so as to open the insideof these devices, thus facilitating the maintenance and the inspectionoperation of these devices. Accordingly, the control unit 107′ includesa frame having a strength necessary for supporting and holding thesedevices mounted in the inside of the control unit 107′. Further, theabove-mentioned flow rate regulators 403′, 404′ are arranged in theinside of the frame and the outside of the flow-rate regulators 403′,404′ are covered with plates and access doors 401′, 402′.

The bed 1000 is mounted on the bed frame 205 which constitutes the bedportion 103′b and utilities are arranged in the inside of the bed 1000.The detail of such constitution is explained in conjunction with FIGS.12A, 12B and FIGS. 13A, 13B hereinafter.

FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B are explanatory views of the bed shown in FIG. 10,wherein FIG. 12A is a side view as viewed from a position outside andbehind the vacuum processing apparatus of this embodiment and FIG. 12Bis a plan view as viewed from above the vacuum processing apparatus ofthis embodiment. FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B are explanatory views of the bedshown in FIG. 10, wherein FIG. 13A is a side view as viewed from theinside of the vacuum processing apparatus of this embodiment and FIG.13B is a side view as viewed from the outside and the side of the vacuumprocessing apparatus of this embodiment.

In these drawings, the bed portion 103′b has support beams 1201 whichconstitute the bed frame 205 and is formed in an approximatelyrectangular parallelepiped shape. The support beams 1201 hold the bed1000 and, at the same time, the above-mentioned support beams 1005 andthe control units 107′ are connected to support the bed 1000.Accordingly, the bed 1000 has the sufficient strength. Further, ametal-made plate is mounted on the periphery of the support beams 1201to cover the inside of the support beams 1201, thus forming anapproximately rectangular parallelepiped surface of the bed portion103′b. With the use of this plate, the upper surface of the bed portion103′b constitutes a flat surface and an operator can ride on the uppersurface when necessary. Accordingly, it is possible to use the spacearound the processing chamber portion 103′a as a space for maintenancewhereby the efficiency of the operation is enhanced and, at the sametime, the installation area of the device can be further reduced.

Further, to members which constitute the support beams 1201, a drawer1202 which stores the utilities arranged in the inside of the bed 1000and rails 1203, which movably and substantially horizontally support thedrawer 1202 between the outer side and the inner side of the bed portion103′b, are mounted. Accordingly, the utilities are stored in the insideof the bed portion 103′ in a usual operation and the utilities can bemoved to the outside of the bed portion 103′b or the apparatus 100 whennecessary. For example, at the time of performing the maintenance, theexchange or the regulation of the power source device included in theutilities, for example, the user can easily get access to these devices.Accordingly, the operation is facilitated, the operation time isshortened, and the use efficiency of the space for operation can beenhanced.

In this embodiment, these utilities are power source devices 1204, 1205,1206 which supply electricity to the respective devices provided to theprocessing chamber portion 103′a and a regulation device 1207 whichregulates this supply of electricity. The drawer 1202 is supported onthe rails 1203 and is movable along the rails 1203 and, at the sametime, the drawer 1202 is configured to be removable from the rails 1203,the support beams 1201 or the bed frame 205, and may be exchanged with aseparately prepared drawer.

Further, as mentioned above, with respect to the bed frame 205, on aportion thereof which faces the inside of the device 100 or the spacebelow the transport chamber 112 and facing to spaces between the beds,or on a side thereof which faces the center frame 204, an interfaceportion 1301 which connects lines and pipes of a collective formedsupply block 203 and the utilities in the inside of the bed 1000 ismounted. The devices inside the bed and the devices outside the bed areconnected to each other using this interface portion 1301. Further, theinterface portion 1301 is offset to either one side in the horizontaldirection with respect to the bed portion 103′b or the bed frame 205 andmounted and fixed to either one of the bed portion 103′b and the bedframe 205. Namely, when it sees the processing unit which performsetching processing, looks at the whole apparatus from the upper part,the processing unit 103, 103, which has the processing chamber portions103 a, 103′a and the bed portions 103 b and 103′b corresponding to theprocessing chamber portions, are arranged symmetrically about the linewhich passes along center portion of the transport chamber 112.Interfaces 1301 and 1301′ are arranged in the bed board 103 b and 103′b,inclined toward inside (center side) portion of the apparatus. Theseinterfaces are faced to a space under the center frame 204 located lowerpart of the transport chamber 112.

The interface portion 1301 functions as a window opening between theutilities such as the power source portions 1204 to 1206, the regulator1207, and the like in the inside of the bed 1000 and the device body,and at the same time, functions as a regulator which regulates theconnection between these devices. In the interface portion 1301,connectors which transmit and receive electricity supplied to the powersource parts 1204 to 1206 and data signals and control command signalsbetween the processing chamber portion 103′a and the device body 100,and connectors which perform the connection between pipes from reservoirportions of fluids such gas, the refrigerant, and the like which arearranged in the inside of the bed 1000 and the pipes in the inside ofthe collective supply block 203 of the apparatus body 100 are arranged.

The utilities such as the power sources 1204 to 1206 and the like whichare arranged in the inside of the drawer 1202 provided to the bed 1000are fixed to the drawer 1202 such that the utilities are moved alongwith the movement of the drawer 1202 in the approximately horizontaldirection. Accordingly, to maintain the connection between the utilitiesand the bed frame 1205 side is ensured along with the movement of thedrawer 1202, the lines are collectively stored and arranged in anextension connection tube 1210. Further, to the inside of the bed of theinterface portion 1301, a regulation device 1208 which regulatesinputting and outputting of signals and electricity which aretransmitted and received through the interface portion 1301 is arranged,while the power sources 1204 to 1206 and the power source regulator 1207are connected with each other through the input/output regulation device1208.

One end of the extension connection tube 1210 is fixed to the drawer1201 and the lines which pass through the extension connection tube 1210are pulled out and are connected with the respective utilities arrangedin the inside of the drawer 1202. Another end of the extensionconnection tube 1210 is fixed to the bed frame 1205 side of the bed1000. Particularly, another end of the extension connection tube 1210 isconnected to the regulation device 1208 and the inner line is connectedto the regulation device 1208. To allow the extension connection tube1210 to be extended or bended along with the movement of the drawer1202, the extension connection tube 1210 is constituted of a pluralityof contiguous neighboring tubes which are connected by way of aplurality of intermediate portions. When the drawer 1202 is pulled out,the plurality of tubes are connected such that the tubes are extended soas to connect the drawer 1202 and the regulation device 1208 side. Then,when the drawer 1202 is stored, the drawer 1202 and the regulationdevice 1208 side are connected with each other in a state that theextension connection tube 1210 is bent using joint portions as fulcrums.Due to such a constitution, at the time of performing the operationssuch as maintenance, inspection, mounting, dismounting of the utilities,it is possible to collectively handle the wiring portion by removing theextension connection tube 1210 and hence, the operation such as mountingand dismounting of the utilities to and from the bed 1000 and theestablishment/termination of connection can be performed easily.

Further, in this embodiment, the utilities are also arranged onimmovable portions which are fixed to the bed frame 205. These utilitiesare arranged corresponding to the frequency of the maintenance,inspection and connection operations or the presence or non-presence ofthe connection. In the above-mentioned interface portion 1301,connectors relevant to the utilities which are not arranged in theinside of the drawer 1202 and are not movable with the drawer 1202 arearranged. As such utilities, for example, an input/output switch portion1209 which turns on and off the connection of paths of the electricityand signal lines and a reservoir portion 121 for gas and refrigerant arenamed. These utilities are arranged on the bed frame 205 per se or aplanar fixed mounting plate 1202′ mounted on the bed frame 205.

This embodiment is provided with a switch 1211 which can supply theelectricity to the bed portion 103′b and all signals altogether or tosome designated portions at the time of performing the operations suchas the removal of the bed portion 103′b, the bed 1000 and the drawer1202 and the maintenance, the inspection, and the like of the processingchamber portion 103′a. Due to the manipulation of the switch 1211, it ispossible to turn on/off the electricity and signals supplied to theprocessing chamber portion 103′a and hence, it is possible to turnon/off the operation of whole processing unit or the operation of someparticular portions. By manipulating such a switch, the time requiredfor the maintenance and inspection operation can be shortened and theoperations become easy. Further, the accuracy of the operation isenhanced and the safety of the operation is also enhanced. In thisembodiment, the switch 1211 is arranged on the inner surface of the bed1000 of the input/output regulation device 1208 and hence, by pullingout the drawer 1202, the user can easily get access to the switch 1211and can manipulate the switch 1211.

Further, the switch 1211 may be provided to the interface portion 1301.The interface portion 1301 is a portion which the user uses when theuser mounts or dismounts the bed portion 103′b, mounts or dismounts theutilities or when the user performs the maintenance and inspectionoperation. Accordingly, by arranging the switch 1209 as close aspossible to the user, the user can easily recognize the necessity of themanipulation of the switch whereby the safety and the efficiency of theoperation is enhanced.

FIG. 14 shows the summary of the connection of the lines such as thelines of the signals, electricity, and the like of the embodiment andpipes of gas or the heat exchanger medium. FIG. 14 is a schematic viewshowing the flow of signals and fluids in the embodiment shown in FIGS.1A and 1B. Particularly, FIG. 14 is a view showing a state in which theprocessing block 102 is viewed from above and shows the schematicconnection of lines and pipes in respective units. In the connection ofthe lines and pipes, the signals, the electricity and the fluids such asgases and the heat exchanging medium or the like are transmitted from apower source portion 1401 and a reservoir portion 1402 constituting afluid source in which gases and a heat exchange medium is stored whichare arranged underfloor where the apparatus 100 is installed to therespective processing units of the processing block 102 through theconnection interface 202 and the display part 202 arranged in the device100. Further, the lines and the pipes are arranged to pass the displaypart 202 and, thereafter, pass the center side (inner side) of theprocessing block around which the respective processing units arearranged, wherein the respective one ends of the lines and the pipes areconnected to the respective processing units.

That is, the lines and the pipes from the display part 202 arecollectively arranged in an arrangement space 1403 for pipes and lineswhich is arranged below the transport unit 105 including the lockchamber and the transport chamber 112 and below the inner side of thebase frame 204 which supports the transport unit 105. The respectivelines and pipes which are arranged in the inside of the arrangementspace 1403 are connected to the respective processing units at theinterface portions of the respective bed portions which are arrangedbelow the respective processing units arranged around the side surfaceportions of the base frame 204 having an approximately rectangularparallelepiped shape.

With respect to the lines and the pipes which are arranged in the insideof the arrangement space 1403, the supply and return pipes for theprocessing units arranged on the left side and the right side of theprocessing block 102 and the lines for signals and electricity for theseprocessing units are respectively provided for the right-side use andthe left-side use respectively, and these pipes and the lines arecollectively arranged. The supply pipes is branched for the etchingprocessing unit 103 and the ashing processing unit 104 at the outside ofthe processing-unit-side outlet of the arrangement space 1403 and thepipes are arranged for respective processing units. The return pipes arereversely connected such that the fluid which flows in the pipes forrespective processing units are merged and the merged fluid flows in theinside of the arrangement space 1403. On the other hand, the lines for aplurality of processing units which are collectively assembled in oneunit in the arrangement space 1403 are separated outside the arrangementspace for every processing unit.

The pipes after branching is connected with the interface portions ofthe respective processing units. For example, the pipes after branchingare connected to the interface portion 1301 of the bed portion 103 b ofthe right-side etching processing unit 103 and the interface portion1401 of the bed portion 104 b of the ashing processing unit 104. In thebed portion 103 b of the etching processing unit 103, the pipes which isconnected to the interface portion 1301, which is arranged in an offsetmanner toward the surface of the lower portion of the transport chamber112 and which is arranged at a position which faces the base frame 204,is connected to the reservoir portion 1212 which is arranged at aportion fixed to the bed 1000 in the inside of the bed portion 103 b.The pipes started from the reservoir portion 1212 is connected to thecontroller 402 which is mounted in the inside of the control unit 107arranged above the bed portion 103 b. The fluid is supplied to theprocessing chamber portion 103 a of the etching processing unit 103 fromthe controller 402.

Further, among the lines which are connected to the interface portion1301 of the etching processing unit 103, some lines are connected to theutilities represented by the power source device 1204 and other linesare connected to the utilities such as the power source device 1204 byway of the regulation device 1208. Further, the line from the regulationdevice 1208 is directly connected with the processing chamber portion103 a directly by way of the regulation device 1208, while another lineis connected to the processing chamber portion 103 a by way of the powersource device 1204.

On the other hand, in the bed portion 104 b of the ashing processingunit 104, the pipes which is connected to the interface portion 1401which is arranged in the offset manner toward the lower portion of thetransport chamber 112 and which is arranged at a position which facesthe base frame 204, is connected to the reservoir portion 1412 which isarranged at a portion fixed to the bed 1000 in the inside of the bedportion 104 b. The pipes started from the reservoir portion 1412 isconnected to the controller 401 which is mounted in the inside of thecontrol unit 107 arranged above the bed portion 104 b. The fluid issupplied to the processing chamber portion 104 a of the ashingprocessing unit 104 from the controller 402.

Further, some lines which are connected to the interface portion 1401 ofthe ashing processing unit 104 are, in the same manner as the etchingprocessing unit 103, connected to the utilities represented by the powersource device 1404 and other lines are connected to the utilities suchas the power source device 1404 by way of the regulation device 1408.Further, the line from the regulation device 1408 is directly connectedwith the processing chamber portion 104 a directly by way of theregulation device 1408, while another line is connected to theprocessing chamber portion 104 a by way of the power source device 1404.

The interface portion 1301 of this embodiment is arranged on thetransport chamber side of the bed portion having an approximatelyrectangular parallelepiped shape or on the surface which faces thecenter side of the transport chamber. The interface portion 1301 isparticularly arranged in an offset manner to either one of the left andthe right, and also is arranged at a position close to the center sideor the inside of the transport chamber. Namely, the interface portion1301 is located in a position where faced to the space below thetransport chamber 112. Further, when the bed portions having anapproximately rectangular parallelepiped shape are arranged such thattheir faces face each other in an opposed manner, the interface portionsof these bed portions are arranged close to each other. Due to such aconstitution, it is possible to collectively perform the mounting anddismounting operations of the pipes and lines at the interface portionand hence, the efficiency of the operation is enhanced. Further, the bedportions can be arranged closer to each other so that the installationarea of the whole device can be reduced and, at the same time, it ispossible to secure a wider footing on which an operator ride and canmore reliably perform the operation below the processing unit.

Further, since it is possible to perform the operation by pulling outthe device in the inside of the bed portion only when necessary, theoperation space required around the device can be suppressed whereby itis possible to reduce the installation area of the device and to enhancethe installation efficiency.

Next, the constitution of the processing unit of this embodiment isexplained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 5A to FIG. 9. First of all,the characterizing constitution of the processing unit is explained inconjunction with FIGS. 5A, 5B, and FIG. 6. FIG. 5A is a longitudinalcross-sectional view showing the schematic constitution of theprocessing chamber portion of the processing unit shown in FIGS. 1A and1B. FIG. 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view showing the schematicconstitution of the processing chamber portion of the processing unitshown in FIG. 5A. FIG. 6 particularly shows the constitution of theprocessing chamber portion of the etching processing unit 103.

In the drawing, the processing chamber portion 500 which constitutes theupper portion of the processing chamber portion 103 a is connected tothe transport chamber 112, wherein the communication between theprocessing chamber portion 500 and the transport chamber 112 isestablished or interrupted by an open/close atmospheric gate valve 514which is arranged between the processing chamber portion 500 and thetransport chamber 112. In a state that the atmospheric gate valve 514 isopened, a space inside the transport chamber 112 and a space inside theprocessing chamber portion 500 are communicated with each other so thatthe pressures of both spaces become substantially equal. When theatmospheric gate valve 514 is opened, the wafer which constitutes thesample is transported to the sample stand 504 which is arranged in theinside of the processing chamber portion from the inside of thetransport chamber 112.

In this embodiment, after detecting and confirming that the sample isplaced on the sample stand 504, the atmospheric gate valve 514 is closedto interrupt the communication between the inside of the processingchamber portion 500 and the transport chamber 112 and hence, theprocessing is started after sealing the inside of the processing chamberportion. To remove the processing chamber portion 500 from the transportchamber 112 or to perform the maintenance operation, the atmosphericgate valve 514 is set to a closed state, the pressure inside theprocessing chamber portion 500 is elevated to the atmospheric pressureand, thereafter, the inside of the outer chambers 511, 512 which form avacuum container of the processing chamber portion 500 is opened andexposed to the atmosphere.

As shown in the drawing, a discharge chamber portion 1001 is arranged inthe upper portion of the processing chamber 500. Here, the dischargechamber portion 1001 includes a lid member 542 which constitutes a lidof the vacuum container, an antenna member which is arranged inside thelid member 542, a magnetic field generating portion which is arranged onthe side of and above the antenna member in a state that the magneticfield generating portion surrounds the discharge chamber portion, and aceiling member which is arranged below the antenna member. Further,above the magnetic field generating portion, an electric wave sourceportion 525 which supplies electric waves of a UHF band and VHF bandwhich the antenna member emits is arranged. The antenna member includesan antenna 526 having a planar shape which is constituted of aconductive member made of stainless steel or the like and is arranged inthe inside of the lid member 542 and at least one dielectric 528 havinga ring shape which is arranged between the antenna 526 and the lidmember 542 to insulate these elements from each other and to transmitthe electric waves emitted from the antenna 526 to the lower ceilingmember side.

Further, the ceiling member includes a (quartz) plate 503 and a showerplate 534 which is arranged below the quartz plate 503. Here, the quartzplate 503 is formed of a dielectric made of quartz or the like fortransferring the transmitted electric waves to the inside of the lowerprocessing chamber side. The shower plate 534 is provided with aplurality of holes therein and these holes are formed for introducing asupplied process gas for processing into the inside of the processingchamber in a dispersed manner.

A space which is formed below the shower plate 534 and above a samplestand 504 defines a discharge chamber 532 in which plasma is generateddue to an interaction of the electric waves which are introduced intothe supplied processed gas through the quartz plate 503 and the magneticfield supplied from the magnetic field generating portion. Further, aspace is defined by forming a gap between the quartz plate 503 and theshower plate 534. A process gas to be supplied to the discharge chamber532 is firstly supplied to this space and the process gas penetrates theshower plate 534 so as to make the space communicate with the dischargechamber 532. Accordingly, the process gas passes the above-mentionedholes which form through holes and flows into the discharge chamber 532.The above-mentioned space is formed into a buffer chamber 529 in whichthe process gas is dispersed from a plurality of holes and flows intothe discharge chamber 532. The process gas is supplied from a controller402 which regulates the supply of the process gas into the processingunit 103 of the fluid such as gas through a process gas line 501 and aprocess gas interruption valve 502.

In this manner, the process gas is introduced into the discharge chamber532 by dispersing the process gas using the plurality of holes and, atthe same time, these holes are mainly arranged at a position which facesthe position where the sample is placed on the sample stand 504 andhence, these holes function as the buffer chamber 529 which can dispersethe process gas such that the process gas becomes more uniform and alsofunction to make the density of the plasma uniform. Further, a lowerring 537 is arranged below the lid member 542 and at the outerperipheral side of the quartz plate 503 and the shower plate 534. A gaspassage which is communicated with the gas line 501, through which theprocess gas enters the buffer chamber 529, is formed in the lower ring537.

Further, below the shower plate 534, a discharge chamber inner wallmember 533 is provided, wherein the discharge chamber inner wall member533 is brought into contact with lower surfaces of the lower ring 537and the shower plate 534 and faces the plasma inside the vacuumcontainer, thus defining a space of the discharge chamber 532. Adischarge chamber outer wall member 536 is provided on an outerperipheral side of the inner wall member 533 such that the dischargechamber outer wall member 536 surrounds the inner wall member 533,wherein an outer wall surface of the discharge chamber inner wall member533 and an inner wall surface of the discharge chamber outer wall member536 are brought into contact with each other in an opposed manner. Here,in this embodiment, the inner wall member 533 and the outer wall member536 respectively configured to have the substantially concentriccylindrical shapes. A heater is arranged to be wound around an outerperipheral surface of the outer wall member 536. By adjusting atemperature of the outer wall member 536, it is possible to regulate atemperature of the surface of the inner wall member 533 which is broughtinto contact with the outer wall member 536.

On the outer peripheral side of the outer wall member 536, a dischargechamber base plate 535 is arranged, wherein the discharge chamber baseplate 535 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the outerwall member 536. Further, the discharge chamber base plate 535 isconnected with the vacuum chamber portion which is arranged below thedischarge chamber base plate 535 by way of a lower surface of thedischarge chamber base plate 535. Here, the inner wall member 533 isalso a member which performs a function of a ground electrode againstthe sample stand 504 as a role of a plasma electrode in the inside ofthe discharge chamber 532 and has an area necessary for making thepotential of plasma stable. Since the inner wall member 533 functions asthe ground electrode, it is necessary to ensure the sufficient thermalconductivity between the inner wall member 533 and the outer wall member536 or the lid member 537 which is connected with the inner wall member533 by contact together with the heat conduction.

All of the inner wall member 533, the outer wall member 536 and the lidmember 537 are formed of conductive members and are exposed to theatmosphere side outside the processing chamber portion 500, thusfacilitating the connection of lines for grounding.

In this embodiment, as described above, the vacuum chamber portion 1002is arranged below the discharge chamber portion 1001 and the outer wallmember of the vacuum chamber portion 1002 which constitutes the vacuumcontainer is roughly divided into the upper and lower portion. The upperportion constitutes an upper outer chamber 511 which is mounted on thetransport chamber 112 or a member which is mounted on the transportchamber 112 and constitutes the transport chamber 112 by bolts or thelike, wherein the position of the upper outer chamber 511 is fixed inplace. On the other hand, the lower portion is mounted on and fixed tothe member of the above-mentioned upper outer chamber 511 from below bybolts or the like and, further, is supported on the support beams 1005which are mounted on the bed frame 205 of the bed portion 103 b frombelow. That is, the upper and lower outer chambers 511, 512 havepositions thereof fixed with respect to the transport chamber 112 or thebed portion 103 b or with respect to the floor surface on which thedevice 100 is installed.

Here, in the inside of the outer chambers 511, 512 which are arrangedvertically and constitute an outer wall of the vacuum chamber portion1002 of the processing chamber portion 500, at least one or morechambers are arranged, wherein one chamber is arranged inside the otherchamber, thus forming a multiple chamber. In this embodiment, twochamber, that is, inner and outer chambers are provided. That is, theinner chamber 509 is provided in the inside of the upper outer chamber511, the inner chamber 510 is provided in the inside of the lower outerchamber 512. In other word, two upper and lower inner chambers 509, 510are provided. The sample stand 504 is arranged inside the inner chambers509, 510, wherein a vacuum chamber 532′ is formed in the inside of theinnermost chamber, in which the plasma is generated. Gases and thereaction product flow in the vacuum chamber 532′ and are discharged fromthe vacuum chamber 532′.

The vacuum chamber 532′ is communicated with the discharge chamber 532disposed above the vacuum chamber 532′ and, at the same time, as will beexplained later, the vacuum chamber 532′ is configured to becommunicable with a space defined between the inner chamber 509 and theouter chamber 511. Further, the pressure inside the vacuum chamber 532′can be reduced and, at the same time, the plasma, gas and the reactionproducts in the inside of the discharge chamber 532 can be moved intothe vacuum chamber 532′.

Further, the inner chambers 509, 510 have the conductivity and areconductive with the outer chambers 511, 512 and assume a givenpotential. The inner chambers 509, 510, as described above, face theplasma generated inside the inner chambers 509, 510. To obtain thestable processing or to make the interaction with particles in theplasma, it is necessary to set the inner chambers 509, 510 to aparticular potential. In this embodiment, by bringing the inner chambers509, 510 into contact with the outer chambers 511, 512, the innerchambers 509, 510 are set to a ground potential. Accordingly, in thesame manner as the discharge chamber inner wall member 533, thepotential of the plasma becomes stable and the interaction becomes alsostable.

To achiever grounding, the inner chamber 509 or 510 is formed of aconductive member and the inner chamber 509 or 510 is configured to beconductive with the outer chamber formed of a conductive member at anupper end portion or a lower end portion of the inner chamber 509. Theinner chamber 510 has a lower surface thereof brought into contact withand also connected with an upper surface of the lower outer chamber 512which is formed of a conductive member in the same manner, thus ensuringthe conductivity. By grounding the outer chambers 511, 512 with thewiring connection, the inner chamber 509 or the inner chamber 510 isgrounded.

Further, the discharge chamber portion 1001 which is mounted on thevacuum chamber portion 1002 moves a minute distance downwardly alongwith the reduction of pressure in the discharge chamber 532 and thevacuum chamber 532′ such that the discharge chamber portion 1001 pushesthe vacuum chamber portion 1002. In this manner, at a portion where thevacuum chamber portion 1002 and the discharge chamber portion 1001 arebrought into contact with each other, it is possible to make a sealingwhich seals the inside and the outside of the discharge chamber portion1001 and the vacuum chamber portion 1002 function effectively.

In the above-mentioned discharge chamber portion 1001, a dischargechamber base plate 535 is brought into contact with the vacuum chamberportion 1002 and pushes the vacuum chamber portion 1002. A lower surfaceof the discharge chamber base plate 535 is brought into contact with anupper surface of a sample (electrode) base plate 524, while a lowersurface of the sample base plate 524 is brought into contact with anupper surface of the upper outer chamber 511 of the processing chamber500 whereby these parts are connected to each other. On the other hand,the discharge chamber base plate 535 is arranged above the upper end ofthe upper inner chamber 509 or a flange portion formed on an upper endportion including the vicinity of the upper end of the upper innerchamber 509 and is configured to transmit a pushing force by pushing thesample base plate 524 by way of the flange portion from above. On theouter peripheral side of the flange portion of the upper inner chamber509, the sample base plate 524 comes into pressure contact with theupper outer chamber 511 by pushing, thus applying a pushing force to theupper outer chamber 511.

In this embodiment, by regulating the temperature of the surface of thewall which constitutes the vacuum chamber, the interaction between thesurface and the plasma, the particles contained in the plasma, the gasand the reaction product is regulated. In this manner, by properlyregulating the interaction between the plasma and the wall surface ofthe vacuum chamber which faces the plasma, it is possible to bring thecharacteristics of the plasma such as the density and the composition ofthe plasma into a desired state. On the other hand, in the constitutionof this embodiment, between the inner chamber 511 and the outer chamber512 which constitute the vacuum chamber portion 1002, there exists aspace whose degree of vacuum is held high due to the reduction ofpressure by exhaust means. Accordingly, some ideas or considerationbecome necessary to regulate the temperature of the inner chamber 511which constitutes the vacuum chamber 532′.

In this embodiment, a medium passage 541 through which a heat exchangemedium passes is arranged on the inner side of the discharge chamberbase plate 535, and the heat exchange medium such as water is made tocirculate in the inside of the medium passage 541 so as to regulate thetemperature of the discharge chamber base plate 535 and the temperatureof the inner chamber 509 is regulated by way of a member which isarranged between the discharge chamber base plate 535 and the innerchamber 509 and connects these parts. That is, the discharge chamberbase plate 535 and a side wall member of the inner chamber 509 arethermally connected with each other and heat is transmitted between bothparts, thus performing the heat exchange. If the heat exchange isperformed through the heat transfer, another member may be arrangedbetween them. The detailed constitution of a portion where the dischargechamber portion 1001 and the vacuum chamber portion 1002 are connectedwith each other is explained hereinafter in conjunction with FIG. 5B.

FIG. 5B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the constitutionof the connection portion of the discharge chamber portion 1001 and thevacuum chamber portion 1002 shown in FIG. 5A. Below the lid member 542as well as below the quartz plate 503 and on the side of the showerplate 534, a lid lower ring 537 is arranged such that the lid lower ring537 surrounds the quartz plate 503 and the shower plate 534. The lidlower ring 537 has a downward surface which faces and is brought intocontact with a surface of the lower discharge chamber inner wall member533. Further, the quartz plate 503 has an upper portion thereof exposedto the atmosphere side and hence, when the pressure inside the dischargechamber 532 and the vacuum chamber 532′ is reduced, an external pressureattributed to the atmosphere is applied to the quartz plate 503 and thisforce is transmitted as a force which pushes the lid lower ring 537 andthe discharge chamber inner wall member 533 downwardly. Further, the lidlower ring 537 and the discharge chamber inner wall member 533 haveportions thereof exposed to the external atmosphere side and hence, asealing material, which seals the pressure-reduced inside and theoutside, are arranged on a surface along which the quartz plate 503 andthe lid lower ring 537 are brought into contact with each other, and asurface along which lid lower ring 537 and the discharge chamber innerwall member 533 are brought into contact with each other.

Further, the discharge chamber inner wall member 533 has a cylindricalshape to surround the discharge chamber 532 arranged inside thedischarge chamber inner wall member 533. A flange portion which extendsto the outside in the approximately horizontal direction along thecylindrical outer periphery is mounted on the outer peripheral side ofthe upper portion of the discharge chamber inner wall member 533. Anupper surface of the flange portion is arranged to face a lower surfaceof the lid lower ring 537 and are connected with each other in a contactstate by way of the sealing material. Below a lower surface of theflange portion of the discharge chamber inner wall member 533 and at aposition along an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion,the discharge chamber outer wall member 536 is arranged. The dischargechamber inner wall member 533 and the discharge chamber outer wallmember 536 are connected to each other in a contact state byway of thesesurfaces. Along the outer periphery of the discharge chamber outer wallmember 536, as described above, a heater 540 is arranged, and the heater540 regulates the temperature of the discharge chamber outer wall member536 and the temperature of the discharge chamber inner wall member 533which is connected with the discharge chamber outer wall member 536.

In this manner, the discharge chamber inner wall member 533 receives thepushing force which is applied thereto by way of the lid member 537 atthe flange portion and transmits the force to the members bellow theflange portion and the transmitted force is received by the uppersurface of the discharge chamber outer wall member 536. In this manner,by receiving the pushing force with the surface where two members faceeach other in an opposed manner, the contact area of both members on thecontact surface can be increased and hence, the performances such asthermal conductivity and the electric conductivity can be enhanced.Since the outer peripheral surface of the discharge chamber outer wallmember 536 is exposed to the outside air, a sealing material is arrangedon an upper surface of the discharge chamber outer wall member 536 whichis connected with the discharge chamber inner wall member 533 in acontact manner. On the other hand, to the contact surface where theouter peripheral surface of the inner wall member 533 and the innerperipheral surface of the outer wall member 536 are connected with eachother in an opposed manner, a sealing material is not arranged and theconnecting portion faces the discharge chamber 532 or the vacuum chamber532′ and hence, the pressure of the contact surface is reduced along thewith reduction of pressure in these chambers.

Further, the discharge chamber outer wall member 536 has a flangeportion which extends to the outer peripheral side along the outerperiphery thereof and a lower surface of the flange portion and an uppersurface of the inner peripheral end portion of the discharge chamberbase plate 535 are connected with each other in a contact state. Bothmembers are fastened to each other by bolts which are inserted fromabove the discharge chamber base plate 535. Due to such a constitution,it is possible to obtain the larger contact area so that the pushingforce and heat can be transmitted downwardly more efficiently wherebythe electric conductivity is also enhanced. Here, in this embodiment,the discharge-chamber-portion outer wall member 536 is formed ofaluminum in view of the heat transfer, the electric conductivity and thecontamination or the like during the processing. However, with respectto the discharge chamber base plate 535, since the heat transfer mediumpasses therethrough and hence, the discharge chamber base plate 535 isformed of a member made of stainless steel in view of the heat transfer,the electric conductivity and corrosion.

Below the discharge chamber base plate 535, the upper inner chambermember 509 is arranged and an intermediate member 509′, which is broughtinto contact with respective members, is interposed between thesemembers. Here, the intermediate member 509′ faces the discharge chamber532 and the vacuum chamber 532′ and constitutes wall surfaces whichdefine the discharge chamber 532 and the vacuum chamber 532′ and alsofaces the plasma or the gas, or the reaction products. The intermediatemember 509′ is provided to the outer peripheral side of a lower endportion of the discharge chamber inner wall member 533. That is, theintermediate member 509′ has a ring-like shape and is arranged along theouter periphery of the lower end portion of the discharge chamber innerwall member 533. The intermediate member 509′ includes aninner-peripheral-side flange portion and an outer-peripheral-side flangeportion having a given size and also has a stepped portion whichconnects these flange portions. The inner-peripheral-side flange portionis arranged between an upper end portion of the upper inner chamber 509and a lower end portion of the discharge chamber inner wall member 533and constitutes an intermediate member which is connected with theseportions. Here, the inner flange portion has an end surface of the innerperipheral end thereof brought into contact with a lower end outerperipheral surface of the discharge chamber inner wall member 533 isconnected. On an outer peripheral side of the contact surface between anupper surface of the inner flange portion and the discharge chamberouter wall member 536, a sealing material is arranged and sealingmaterial performs the sealing between the atmosphere side arrangedoutside the processing chamber and the inner side of the processingchamber. Due to such a constitution, The pressure in a most portion ofthe inner side of the contact surface is reduced along with thereduction of pressure in the inside of the discharge chamber 532 and thevacuum chamber 532′ and hence, the heat transfer between membersarranged at both sides of the contact surface can be impeded.

Further, an outer flange portion of the intermediate member 509′ isbrought into contact with and is connected with the lower surface of thedischarge chamber base plate 535 and a surface of the upper end portionof the upper inner chamber 509 so as to connect the discharge chamberbase plate 535 and the upper inner chamber 509. The upper inner chamber509 has, at a portion thereof which is connected with the outer flangeportion, a flange portion, which extends substantially in the horizontaldirection at an upper end portion or in the vicinity of the upper endportion, and the upper end has an approximately L-shaped or a T-shapedcross section. An upper surface of the flange portion and a lowersurface of the outer flange portion of the intermediate member 509′disposed above the flange portion are connected with each other in acontact state. On an inner peripheral side (center sides of the vacuumchamber and the discharge chamber) of the outer flange portion of theintermediate member 509′ or on an inner peripheral side of the flangeportion of the upper end of the side wall portion of the inner chamber509, a seal which seals the inside and the outside is arranged. Theouter peripheral end portion of the outer flange portion of theintermediate member 509′ and the outer peripheral end of the flangeportion at the upper end of the side wall of the inner chamber 509 areexposed to the atmosphere outside the processing chamber portion 500 orare communicated with the outside of atmospheric pressure and hence, thepressure on the surfaces thereof is set to approximately atmosphericpressure.

Accordingly, the atmospheric air is present between contact surfaces ofthe flange portions of the intermediate member 509′ and the upper end ofthe side wall portion of the inner chamber 509 or between the contactsurfaces of the outer flange portion of the intermediate member 509′ andthe lower surface of the discharge chamber base plate 535. Further, apushing force attributed to the atmospheric pressure applied to thequartz plate 503, the lid lower ring 537, and the like is transmitted tothe contact surfaces, thus increasing the contact area. Due to such aconstitution, the performance on the heat conduction and the electricconduction through the contact portion are enhanced. Further, a seal isprovided to the contact face where the lower surface of the flangeportion at the upper end of the upper inner chamber 509 and the uppersurface of the sample base plate 524 are brought into contact with eachother.

Here, at the time of fastening the discharge chamber base plate 535 tothe sample stand base plate 524 which is arranged below the dischargechamber base plate 535 using bolts or the like, to apply a pushing forcewhich pushes the upper inner chamber 509 downwardly and, at the sametime, to apply a pushing force in the direction substantiallyperpendicular to the sample stand base plate 524, pushed at a portionwhich is connected with the flange portion in a contact state, and thesupport base member of the sample stand 504, pushed by being broughtinto pressure contact with the lower portion of the upper inner chamber509, a resilient ring 538 having resiliency is arranged between thesample stand base plate 524 and an upper portion of a suspended beam 505such that the suspended beam 505 and the support base member 523,supported on the suspended beam 505, are brought in a slightly upwardlyfloated state.

In mounting the sample which constitutes the object to be processed onthe sample stand 504 in the inside of the inner chamber 509, 510, a gatewhich can transport the wafer into the inner chamber 509 or 510 becomesnecessary. Further, it is necessary to provide a valve which allows theinterruption and the communication of spaces inside and outside thechamber while ensuring the hermetic sealing when the gate is opened andclosed.

In this embodiment, the vacuum processing apparatus includes anatmospheric gate valve 514, which allows the communication andinterruption of the processing chamber portion 500 and the transportchamber 112 by opening or hermetically closing the gate disposed betweenthe inside of the processing chamber portion 500 and the transportchamber 112, and a process gate valve 513 which allows the communicationand interruption of the inside and the outside of the inner chamber 509by opening or hermetically closing the inner chamber 509. Theatmospheric gate valve 514 is configured to be movable in the verticaldirection as well as in the horizontal direction by means of drive means522 which is arranged on an inner side wall of the transport chamber 112and hermetically closes or opens the gate on the inner side wall.Further, the gate is provided at a position where the gate iscommunicated with the gate at the transport chamber 112 side when thetransport chamber 112 and the processing chamber portion 500 areconnected with the outer chamber 509 which constitutes the vacuumcontainer.

As shown in FIG. 6. it is necessary to set this position to a positionwhere there is no possibility that problems such as contacting of thesample transport device 506, which is a robot arm for transferring thewafer arranged in the inside of the transport chamber 112, arise at thetime of transporting the wafer. Further, in a state that the innerchamber 509 is arranged in the inside of the outer chamber 511, theprocess gate is arranged at position which faces the gate of the outerchamber or the gate of the transport chamber 112 and the wafer istransported through the process gate.

Further, the process gate valve 513 which opens or hermetically closesthe process gate is arranged in a space between the outer chamber 511and the inner chamber 509. Here, the process gate valve 513 isconfigured to be movable in the vertical direction as well as in thehorizontal direction by the drive means 521 disposed below the processgate valve 513. The process gate valve 513 is arranged on the side wallof the inner chamber at the time of closing the gate so as tohermetically close the gate on the inner side wall or open the gate. Theprocess gate is arranged at a position and has a shape such that theprocess gate does not come into contact with the wafer and the robot armwhich is arranged inside the transport chamber 112 for transporting thewafer in a state that the robot arm transports the wafer.

In the above-mentioned constitution, the respective gate valves arereleased or opened such that they do not cause troubles at the time oftransporting the wafer. Further, at the time of processing the wafer,agate valve which closes a gate arranged in the innermost chamber, thatis, the inner chamber 509 in this embodiment, the process gate valve 513and the atmospheric gate valve 514 are hermetically closed so as tointerrupt the spaces inside and outside these valves. Further, at thetime of removing the processing chamber or at the time of releasing thevacuum container during the maintenance operation or the like, theprocess gate valve 513 is released in a state that the atmospheric gatevalve 514 is held in a closed state, so that the spaces inside andoutside the inner chamber 509 at the inside of the outer chamber 511 arecommunicated with each other. Here, to prevent the process gas fromflowing into the inside of the processing chamber portion 500, a processgas interruption valve 502 is driven to interrupt and close a processgas line 501.

As described above, in this embodiment, the inside and the outside ofthe inner chamber 509 arranged inside the outer chamber 511 are allowedto be communicated with each other to assume the substantially samepressure by releasing the process gate valve 513 or the pressures is setadjustable. Due to such a constitution, with respect to the innerchamber 509 or 510, since a load attributed to the inner and outerpressure difference which is applied the inner chamber 509 or 510becomes small and hence, a thickness and a size of members can bereduced.

At the time of performing the inspection and the maintenance operationof the inside of the outer chamber 511 which constitutes the vacuumcontainer of the processing chamber portion 500, the atmospheric gatevalve 514 is closed so as to hermetically seal the inside of the outerchamber 511. After confirming the hermetic sealing, the process gatevalve 513 is opened. In a state that the process gate is communicatedand the spaces inside and outside the inner chamber 513 are communicatedwith each other, the atmospheric relief valve 515 is opened so as toallow the outside and the inside of the processing chamber portion 500to be communicated with each other to elevate the pressure inside theouter chamber 511, 512 inside the processing chamber portion 500 to theapproximately atmospheric pressure. That is, the release to theatmospheric pressure is performed.

After this release to the atmospheric pressure, the inside of theprocessing chamber portion 500 is released. First of all, the lid 503,which is arranged above the outer chamber 511 of the processing chamberportion 500 and hermetically seals the inside of the outer chamber 511,is lifted so at to release the processing chamber portion 500. Here, thelid 503 may be lifted using a crane or the like, a hinge portion may bepreliminarily provided and the lid 503 may be opened more than 180degrees by jerking the lid 503 upwardly using the hinge as a pivot axis.Next, the maintenance operation of the inner chamber 509 is performed.To facilitate this maintenance operation, for example, cleaning,exchange, repair, and the like, the inner chamber 509 is taken out fromthe outer chamber 511 and, thereafter, is taken out from the processingchamber portion 500.

Since the vacuum processing apparatus is provided with the constitutionwhich can regulate or can maintain the substantially equal dynamicpressure inside and outside the inner chamber 509, it is possible tosuppress the increase of the thickness of the chamber members.Accordingly, the weight of the inner chamber 509 can be reduced and thehandling operation including the dismounting operation or the like canbe facilitated whereby the operation time can be reduced and theoperation efficiency is enhanced.

In this embodiment, the inner chamber is divided into two upper andlower chambers, that is, the upper and lower chambers 509, 510 above asample stand block. That is, the sample stand block is arranged belowthe inner chamber 509. The sample stand block includes the sample stand504, a support beam 520 and a ring-shaped support base member 523. Thesupport beam 520 supports the sample stand 504 and is provided around acenter axis of the sample stand 504, are arranged. In this embodiment,the inner chamber 509, the outer chamber 511, and the sample stand 504have a substantially cylindrical shape and gas in a space above thesample stand 504 in the inside of the inner chamber 513 flows downwardlyusing a space defined between the support beams and inside the innerchamber 513 as a passage.

The support beam 520 connects the sample stand 504 and the ring-shapedsupport base member 523 which is arranged around the sample stand 504and holds the sample stand 504 in the inside of the inner chamber 509.In the inside of the support base member 523, the support beam 520, andthe suspending beam 505 which is connected to the support base member523 and suspends the support base member 523, supply pipes for gases anda refrigerant which are supplied to the sample stand 504 and powersupply lines for electricity are arranged. Due to such a constitution,it is possible to carry the sample stand 504, the support beam 520 andthe support base 523 to the outside of the outer chamber 511 by liftingthem as an integral block. The number of the maintenance and theexchange of such a sample stand 504 is smaller than the number ofmaintenance of the inner chamber 509 and the sample stand 504 can bemoved integrally as a block and hence, the efficiency of the maintenanceoperation of the device can be enhanced.

Further, a sensor 539 which detects a state of the vacuum chamber 532′or the discharge chamber 532 is arranged below the vacuum chamberportion 1002. That is, a hole which accommodates the sensor therein isformed in a side wall portion of the lower outer chamber 512 and thesensor 539 which senses the pressure inside the vacuum chamber 532′, thegas composition, the light emission of the plasma or the like anddetects these states is arranged in the inside of the hole. A passagewhich is communicated with the sensor 539 or the hole in which thesensor 539 is accommodated is formed in the lower outer chamber 512 andthe lower inner chamber 510. An opening of the passage is arranged on aside surface of the lower inner chamber 510 and the gas, plasma, and thelike in the inside of the vacuum chamber 532′ are transmitted to thesensor 539 through this passage.

The lower inner chamber 510 is arranged below the block of the samplestand 504, while an opening is arranged at a center-side portion of theinner chamber 510. The opening portion is arranged below the innerchamber 510 and is communicated with exhaust means which is arrangedbelow the sample stand 504 and includes an exhaust valve 507 and anexhaust pump 508. The opening portion constitutes a portion where thegas inside the inner chamber 509 which flows around the sample stand 504passes. That is, the space between the support beams 520 around thesample stand 504 and the space in the inside of the inner chamber 510below the sample stand 504 constitute the exhaust passage in which theprocess gas inside the processing chamber portion 500, particles in theplasma and reactive product particles flow and are discharged.

The exhaust valve 507 which constitutes the exhaust means of theprocessing chamber portion 500 is a shutter type exhaust valve whichincludes a plurality of plate-like shutters which allow thecommunication and the interruption between the exhaust pump 508 disposedbelow the exhaust valve 507 and the space inside the inner chamber 510and regulates an exhaust flow rate and a flow speed by variablyregulating the exhaust passage area which is opened by rotating theshutter. In this manner, according to this embodiment, the exhaust meansis arranged below the sample stand 504, particularly right below thesample stand 504. Then, the plasma, the processing gas, and the reactionproducts in the space above the sample stand 504 in the inside of theinner chamber 509 flows in the exhaust passage which reaches the exhaustvalve 507 through the periphery of the sample stand 504 and the spaceinside the inner chamber 510 below the sample stand 504.

The plurality of support beams 520 is arranged at positions which aresubstantially axis-symmetrical with respect to the center axis of thesample stand 504. Here, lengths of respective exhaust passages whichflow in spaces defined between the respective support beams and reachthe exhaust valve 507 arranged right below the sample stand 504 becomesubstantially equal. Accordingly, the flows of the gas, the chargedparticles and the reaction products in the plasma above the sample stand504 become more uniform with respect to the circumferential direction ofthe sample stand 504 or the wafer, which is mounted on the sample stand504 and constitutes a sample having an approximately disk-like shape,and hence, the distribution of the particles of the above-mentionedsubstances in the plasma become more uniform in the space above thewafer. Accordingly, the processing of the wafer becomes more uniform.

In this embodiment, the exhaust means includes the exhaust valve 507which is provided with a plurality of shutters and the exhaust pump 508disposed below the exhaust valve 5, and the exhaust valve 507 isdisposed right below the sample stand 504. The plurality of shuttersare, as shown in the drawing, respectively arranged substantiallyhorizontally (in the direction of wafer surface), wherein the respectiveshutters are rotated about shafts which are mounted on the respectiveshutters whereby the area through which the opening of the inner chamber510 and the exhaust pump 508 are communicated with each other isregulated. When these shafts are further rotated, the plates of therespective shutters are brought into contact with each other and hence,the opening is sealed and closed. Further, when the plates of therespective shutters assume the substantially horizontal posture in thedirection of the sample stand 504 (the upper direction), thecommunicable area is maximized. Although not shown in the drawing, theexhaust valve 507 includes drive means such as a motor or the like whichregulates the rotation of these shutters. The exhaust means regulatesthe exhaust amount and the exhaust speed by regulating the open area ofthese shutters and the driving of the exhaust pump 508.

Further, also as shown in FIG. 9, below the sample stand 504 and abovethe exhaust valve 507, an exhaust gate plate 530 which covers an upperportion of an exhaust opening 531′ which is formed in the outer lowerchamber 512 and opens/closes (open/interrupt) the exhaust valve 507 isarranged. The exhaust gate plate 530 has an approximately disc-likeshape and includes at least one of a pair of arm portions 531 whichextend outwardly at a portion thereof on one outer peripheral end. Byvertically operating the upper end of a pusher 531′ which is arrangedbelow the arm 531, the arm portion 531 which is connected to the upperend of the pusher 531′ is lifted or pulled downwardly so as to open orclose the exhaust opening 531′. The exhaust gate plate 530 is arrangedsuch that a projection surface thereof in the downward direction isaccommodated within a projection surface of the sample stand 504arranged above the exhaust gate plate 530 and, at the same time, aprojection surface of the arm portion 531′ is accommodated in aprojection surface of the support beam 520 arranged above the arm 531′orhas at least a portion thereof overlapped to the projection surface ofthe support beam 520.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, at the time of forming the plasma andperforming the processing of the sample, the exhaust gate plate 530 islifted and moved by the pusher 531 to a position where the exhaust gateplate 530 is arranged close to the lower surfaces of the sample stand504 and the support beam 520 or a position where the exhaust gate plate530 is brought into contact with the lower surfaces of the sample stand504 and the support beam 520. Due to such a constitution, it is possibleto suppress a phenomenon that the flow of the remainder of the plasma,the gas, and the reaction product inside the processing chamber, whichare discharged along with the processing of the sample, is interruptedby the exhaust gate plate 530 and hence, the discharge efficiency isenhanced. Further, it is possible to suppress a space necessary forstabilizing the flow of the exhaust, which is interrupted and disturbedin the inside of the vacuum chamber 532′, arranged below the supportbeam 520 and the sample stand 504, whereby it is possible to make theprocessing chamber portion more miniaturized and hence, the exhaust timecan be shortened whereby the efficiency of the processing is enhanced.Further, according to the above-mentioned constitution, it is possibleto suppress the adhesion of the particles to the exhaust gate plate 530.Due to such a constitution, an interval between the maintenance such asthe exchange of the exhaust gate plate 530 or the removal of attachedsubstances can be prolonged.

The maintenance operation of the inside of the processing chamberportion 500 is explained in conjunction with FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is alongitudinal cross-sectional view for explaining the taking out of theparts of the processing chamber portion shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Afterconfirming that the pressures inside and outside the inner chamber 509in the inside of the processing chamber portion 500 are substantiallyequal, the discharge chamber portion 1001 is released. First of all,after confirming that the electricity is not supplied to the processingchamber unit 103 a, the magnetic field generating portion which isarranged above the discharge chamber portion 1001 and includes theelectric wave source portion 525 and the coil 527, the lid member 542which constitutes the vacuum container together with the vacuum chamberportion disposed below the lid member 542 and the antenna member whichis arranged inside the lid member 542 are moved upwardly using anelevating machine such as a crane or a lifter which is arranged in theinside of the control unit 107. In this embodiment, since the lid member542, the antenna member and the upper surface of the plate 503 disposedbelow them are exposed to the atmosphere, the upward movement of theseparts is possible even in a state that the inside of the dischargechamber 532 and the vacuum chamber 532′ is in a pressure-reduced stateor in an evacuated state.

Thereafter, the plate 503, the lid lower ring 537 arranged below theplate 503 and the shower plate 534 are moved upwardly and are removed.Further, the discharge chamber inner wall member 533 is lifted upwardlyand is removed. Next, the discharge chamber outer wall member 536 andthe discharge chamber base plate 535 are moved upwardly. In thisembodiment, these parts are connected to each other by fastening themwith bolts and hence, these parts may be collectively moved at a time.Further, a hinge portion 543 is arranged at an end portion on atransport chamber 112 side of the discharge chamber base plate 535 andhence, the discharge chamber base plate 535 and, further, the dischargechamber outer wall member 536 which is in a state of being connectedwith the discharge chamber base plate 535 may be lifted upwardly usingthe hinge portion 543 as a fulcrum.

In this manner, the discharge chamber portion 1001 is moved upwardly andhence, the discharge chamber 532 and the vacuum chamber 532′ arereleased to the atmosphere. Next, the members disposed inside the vacuumchamber portion 1002 are removed. From the inside of the outer chamber511 which is exposed to the atmosphere by releasing, the upper innerchamber 509 is lifted upwardly and is taken out. In either a state inwhich the process gate valve 513 is removed from the outer chamber 511or a state in which the process gate valve 513 is released from theinner chamber 509, the inner chamber 509 is lifted upwardly and takenout. Thereafter, the process gate valve 513 is removed and is taken outto the outside of the outer chamber 511.

The inner chambers 509, 510 are arranged in a vertically divided formsuch that the inner chambers 509, 510 sandwich the support beam 520 ofthe sample stand 504 and the support base portion 523. Aftercollectively and upwardly lifting the sample stand 504 block and takingthem to the outside of the outer chamber 511, the lower inner chamber510 is removed upwardly and the maintenance operation such as cleaningor repairing of the inner side wall surface of the outer chamber 511 isperformed. This operation is explained in conjunction with FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view for explaining the mannerof taking out the part in the processing chamber portion shown in FIGS.5A and 5B. As described above, after taking out the upper inner chamber509 upwardly, the sample stand 504 block is lifted upwardly and is movedto the outside of the processing chamber portion 500. This movement maybe performed such that, as shown in the drawing, the sample stand 504which is connected to the sample stand base plate 524 by means of thesuspending beam 505 may be collectively rotated upwardly as a blockusing the hinge portion 543′, which is preliminarily mounted on thesample stand base plate 524 as a pivot axis, or the sample stand 504 maybe lifted upwardly using an elevating device such as a crane. In thisembodiment, although the hinge portions 543, 543′ are arranged bychanging respective positions, the hinge portions 543, 543′ are arrangedat the transport chamber 112 side of the processing chamber portion 500and hence, when an operator performs the maintenance, the inspection,the exchange or the like by releasing the inside of the processingchamber portion 500, it is possible to ensure a space in which theoperator performs the operation around the processing chamber portion500. Further, the sample stand base plate 524 includes the sample stand504 which is suspended by the suspending beam 505 below the sample standbase plate 524 and hence, it is necessary to ensure a space, in whichthe sample stand 504 and the support beam 505 pass, when the samplestand 504 is lifted by rotating the sample stand 504 using the hingeportion 543′ as a fulcrum. However, by arranging the hinge portion 543′at the transport chamber 112 side, it is possible to make the vacuumchamber portion 1002 compact and, at the same time, it is possible tomake the transport chamber 112 compact by reducing the size of the robotarm of a sample transport device 506 which is arranged in the inside ofthe transport chamber 112 for transporting the sample from the transportchamber 112. Accordingly, the installation area for the vacuumprocessing device can be made small. Further, it is possible to mountthe members which are lifted by these hinges on an upper surface of thetransport chamber 112 or it is possible to arrange the members to besupported on the upper surface of the transport chamber 112 and hence,the efficiency and the safety of the operation are enhanced.

The block of the sample stand 504 is taken out and, thereafter, thelower inner chamber 510 is taken out. The maintenance such as cleaning,repairing or the like is applied to the upper and lower inner chambers509, 510 or these chambers are replaced with new parts. Further, aftertaking out these inner chambers 509, 510, the inner side walls of theouter chambers 511, 512 are cleaned and, when necessary, the maintenancesuch as repairing is performed. Further, the exhaust valve may be alsosubjected to maintenance or the replacement in the same manner, whennecessary. After performing these operations, the vacuum processingapparatus is assembled in accordance with steps which are opposite tothe above-mentioned steps. The lid 503 is mounted on the processingchamber portion 500 and, thereafter, lines for supplying respectivegases, the refrigerant and electricity are connected to the vacuumprocessing apparatus.

In this manner, according to this embodiment, the vacuum processingapparatus is provided with the gate and the valve which opens and closesthe valve at positions which face the outer gate of the chamber out ofthe multiple chambers. By releasing the inside of the processing chamberto the atmosphere when the outer gate is closed by closing the valve, itis possible to remove the processing chamber or to mount or dismount theparts. In this manner, it is possible to perform the mounting or thedismounting of the processing chamber portion of the unit whileperforming the processing in the processing chamber of another unit.

Further, it is possible to adjust and hold the pressures inside andoutside the inner chamber at the same pressure and hence, the number ofinner chamber members can be reduced and hence, the mounting and thedismounting of the members are facilitated whereby the operationefficiency is enhanced, leading to the enhancement of the operationefficiency.

Further, since the inner chamber is divided into the upper and lowerchambers and hence, the handling of the inner chamber is facilitated,the operation time is shortened and the operation efficiency of theapparatus is enhanced. It is possible to handle the sample stand as theblock and portions which exhibit the relatively low operation frequencyare collectively moved as the block, thus enhancing the operationefficiency.

Further, by arranging the exhaust means below the sample stand, and moreparticularly right below the sample stand, it is possible to suppressthe bending of the exhaust passage of the particles in the processingchamber such as plasma or the like. Accordingly, the exhaust speed isaccelerated and hence, the operation time is shortened and the operationefficiency of the apparatus body is enhanced. Still further, byproviding the exhaust valve which includes a plurality of shutters belowthe sample stand, the buffer space of exhaust below the sample stand canbe reduced and hence, the exhaust time can be further shortened.

Still further, the support beams of the sample stand are arrangedsubstantially in axis-symmetry with respect to the sample stand andhence, the exhaust passage can be made more straight with respect to theexhaust means below the sample stand. Further, by suppressing thelengths of the exhaust passages which pass through the periphery of thesample stand from becoming different from each other, the flow of theparticles such as plasma in the inside of the processing chamber can bemade uniform and hence, the density of the particles above the wafer onthe sample stand can be made uniform whereby the processing of the wafercan be performed in a stable manner.

1. A plasma processing apparatus comprising: a vacuum container whichhas a side wall having a position thereof fixed with respect to a floorsurface on which the vacuum container is installed and is capable ofsealing the inside and the outside of the vacuum container; a samplestand which is arranged in the inside of the vacuum container and onwhich a sample as an object to be processed is placed; an inner wallmember having an approximately cylindrical shape, which is arrangedbetween the sample stand and the side wall such that the inner wallmember surrounds a side of the sample stand and defines a space betweenthe inner wall member and the side wall, and in which plasma is formedtherein; a flange portion which is arranged on a periphery of an upperend portion or a lower end portion of the inner wall member; and exhaustmeans which reduces the pressure in the space defined between the innerwall member and the side wall of the vacuum container, and the pressureinside the inner wall member, wherein the upper end portion and thelower end portion of the inner wall member receive a force from memberswhich are in contact with the upper end portion and the lower endportion in a state that the pressure in the inside of the vacuumcontainer is reduced, so that the upper end portion and the lower endportion are fixed in the inside of the vacuum container, and the flangeportion receives the force and is pushed while clamping a seal whichseals the inside and the outside of the inner wall member.
 2. A plasmaprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inner wall memberis fitted on an outer peripheral end of the flange portion, so that theposition of the inner wall member is fixed.
 3. A plasma processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the seal is arranged on thepushed surface of the flange portion in a state that the seal is offsetto the sample stand side, and an outer peripheral end of the flangeportion faces the atmosphere side of the vacuum container.
 4. A plasmaprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the members whichpush the inner wall member by being in contact with the flange portionare configured to be detachable upwardly with respect to the inner wallmember in a state that the members are brought into contact with memberswhich are arranged above the members.
 5. A plasma processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the flange portion is pushed in a statethat means which makes the inner wall member and the vacuum containercommunicate with each other is clamped so as to fix the position of theinner wall member.
 6. A plasma processing apparatus according to claim5, wherein the seal has a function of making the inner wall member andthe vacuum container communicate with each other.